Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Industry Segments (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Industry Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments (segments) 2    
Goodwill $ 18,252,678 $ 18,252,678  
Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Goodwill 16,898,000    
Concentration risk (percentage) 71.00%    
Number of suppliers (entities) 7    
Number of suppliers providing majority of supplies (entities) 1    
Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Goodwill 1,355,000 1,355,000  
Concentration risk (percentage) 50.00%    
Number of suppliers providing majority of supplies (entities) 7    
Corporate [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Environmental charges $ 17,000 $ 46,000 $ 8,000
Supplier One [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Concentration risk (percentage) 24.00%    
Revenue [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Number of major customers (entities)   0  
Concentration risk (percentage) 11.00%   10.00%
Revenue [Member] | Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Concentration risk (percentage) 40.00% 28.00% 24.00%
United States [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Number of major customers (entities) 1    
United States [Member] | Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Number of major customers (entities) 1    
Bristol Metals, LLC, Ram-Fab, LLC and Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc. [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage of subsidiary (percent) 100.00%    
Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company [Member] | Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage of subsidiary (percent) 100.00%    
Maximum [Member] | Revenue [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]
     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Concentration risk (percentage)   10.00%